Columnists
Fr Paddy – The Gift of Kindness
There is story in the Gospel about a leper coming to Jesus on his knees and pleading with him, saying, ‘If you want to,...
Fr Paddy: Winter darkness can weigh heavily on our mood and energy
It's hard to believe that this time, three years ago, we were in the heart of a national lockdown.
The second lockdown was harder than...
From the Archives – Pat Critchley: Remembering the Portlaoise Fire Brigade from back in...
This piece by Pat Critchley was originally published in his book Hungry Hill and later on LaoisToday in July 2017
The members of the Fire...
Fr Paddy: Remembering loved ones gone before us
This week we begin the new month of November. Traditionally this is the time of year, in the Christian liturgical calendar, when we remember...
Fr Paddy – Round Tables
The universal Synod continues throughout this month of October in Rome.
I find it refreshing, following the proceedings, with images of women and men actively...
Fr Paddy: Reflections from Asia
Recently, I enjoyed the enormous privilege, visiting Asia, for the first time. It was a wonderful and unique experience, to engage in a very...
Fr Paddy – St Francis … an iconic saint
Throughout this month of October, a universal Synod of the church, takes place in Rome.
This is a historic moment, where discernment, reflection and pragmatic...
Fr Paddy – Story of a Soul
This year seems to be flying by. It's hard to believe that we are now beginning the month of October.
I pray, this new month...
Fr Paddy – Keep life simple
Once upon a time there was a businessman who was sitting on the beach in a small Italian village.
As he sat, taking a brief...
Fr Paddy: The season of creation
Recent Harvest Thanksgiving Masses, in our local churches, have been a source of deep inspiration.
The colour, fragrance, coupled with creativity and gratitude, offered hope...
Fr Paddy – Never Give Up
This month of September, has begun with bright, warm sunshine. We all respond positively to light and warmth, its energy helps us to grow...
Fr Paddy – September, a time to harvest
Imagine that you had to employ a gardener. You ask around among your friends and neighbours, and eventually you hear of two gardeners who...
Fr Paddy: The importance of building solid foundations
This was a major week, for over 60,000 students who received their Leaving Certificate results.
Sincere best wishes to all students, who soon begin...
Fr Paddy – Be kind to your mind
I remember being very moved by Brendan O'Connor’s interview with Brent Pope some time ago.
Brent spoke of his reflective time during the lockdown. He...
Fr Paddy – Room in the church for everyone
At 86, Pope Francis, is the oldest Pontiff in over 120 years.
Last June, he underwent serious surgery and has made a remarkable recovery.
His words...
Fr Paddy – When will the Sun come out to shine?
As I write this article, I look out and wonder when the sun will come out.
July has been the wettest month ever recorded on...
Fr Paddy – The Month of August
This week we begin the month of August, traditionally the harvest season. Weather has been a huge focus on conversation and contemplation in recent...
Fr Paddy – The Cost of ‘Stars’
Every institution needs to be accountable, transparent and discerning.
We have lived through the consequences of poor governance and its drastic consequences from church to...
Fr Paddy – Sitting in Silence
From the crowded city streets to the busy town hall square, from the local village community to the crofter’s moorland cottage we find human...
Leaving Cert Diary: The exams are over – ‘Home is behind, the world is...
Orlaith Miller WAS a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally,...
Fr Paddy: Summer tales of wisdom
How do you handle adversity? What are you thinking when the sun goes down on those cold, windy nights, when you're trying to get...
Fr Paddy: Dorothy Day … An inspirational lady
Recently, Cardinal Dolan of New York celebrated Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral to mark the end of the diocesan phase of the cause for...
Fr Paddy: We all live better in the summer brightness
This week we celebrate the summer solstice. The past few weeks we have all enjoyed magnificent weather. The summer brightness awakens within us a...
Leaving Cert Diary: Sailing through, an essay title to work with and THAT maths...
Orlaith Miller is a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally,...
Fr Paddy: All God’s creatures have a place in the choir
I recently came across this inspirational story...
A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said: “Puppies for Sale.”
Signs like this always have...
Fr Paddy – The Strangest Dream …
People meeting with people, discussions held round tables decorated with flowers, microphones adjusted for clarity of sound and a fine meal together in the...
Leaving Cert Diary: Lighting candles, Elizabeth Bishop and aspiring for survival
Orlaith Miller is a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise. From Vicarstown and a past pupil of St Colman's NS in Stradbally,...
Fr Paddy – Make hay while the sun shines
There are some very sharp turnings in life, as we know – and if we don’t we’ll find that out soon enough.
Most of us,...
Fr Paddy: One step at a time
Summer, is a wonderful time of year, long bright days that awaken within us all, a sense of peace and calm.
Traditionally during summer time...
Fr Paddy: A prayer for students
In the last years of his life, the great cellist and conductor Pablo Casals suffered greatly from rheumatoid arthritis and emphysema.
At 90, he was...
